In his 18-minute second inaugural address, President Obama intertwined the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with that of President Abraham Lincoln and the political reality of our day.

The journey is not yet finished. We, as a nation, still have many important things needing urgent actions: immigration reform, development, energy production, the growth of our national economy, etc.

There was stiffness, and intensity in the president's address, a perhaps too strongly delivered message to assuage all political sensibilities and persuasions, and yet it was a thoughtful, relevant and credible public address.

Let's give credit where credit is due and keep hope alive.

Joseph Zarbano

Reckless changes

Clearly, we are observing a number of fundamental changes in the American culture. Principles, patterns and practices that have served us well for many years are now being ridiculed and rejected — such as viewing marriage as a male and female relationship, dispatching able-bodied males to serve as our warriors on the frontline of battle, and carefully protecting the lives of the innocent and unborn.

Frequently, biblical truths are scorned and practical commonsense is ignored. We are rapidly moving down a path that may have us so free that we will need to cover our doors and windows with iron bars.

We have the lessons from history to read and study, but will we listen and learn? When humans pursue a form of freedom that dethrones God, enthrones man and ignores commonsense, negative consequences are inevitable.

Are we seeing many of those consequences unfolding in living color today? What a shame if, in our mad rush to be liberated, we end up in bondage. Reckless fundamental changes in any culture can cause it to become so loose that that it falls apart.

I agree wholeheartedly, and hope that common sense will prevail in the difficult dilemma of how to protect our population.

School teachers are already in the business of protecting our children and they do not need the added burden of weaponry. The tragic suicide rate of soldiers today underscores your point. Those soldiers are our children too.